Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal

a. Authorization. ALNAV 11 of 11 January 1944 authorized the Navy Commendation Ribbon, and on 22 March 1950, the SECNAV established the medal pendant for this award. On 21 September 1960, the SECNAV changed the name of the award to the Navy Commendation Medal. On 19 August 1994, the SECNAV changed the name of the award to Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

b. Eligibility Requirements. Awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps (including foreign military personnel), distinguishes himself/ herself after 6 December 1941 by heroic or meritorious achievement or service. To merit this award, the acts or services must be accomplished or performed in a manner above that normally expected and sufficient to distinguish the individual above those performing similar services as set forth in the following:

(1) For Acts of Heroism. Worthy of special recognition, but not to the degree required for the Bronze Star Medal when combat is involved or the Navy and Marine Corps Medal when combat is not involved.

(2) For Meritorious Achievement. Outstanding and worthy of special recognition, but not to the degree required for the Bronze Star Medal or Air Medal when combat is involved or the Meritorious Service Medal or Air Medal when combat is not involved. The achievement should be such as to constitute a definite contribution to the Naval Service, such as an invention, or improvement in design, procedure or organization.

(3) For Meritorious Service. Outstanding and worthy of special recognition, but not to the degree required for the Bronze Star Medal or Air Medal when combat is involved or the Meritorious Service Medal or Air Medal when combat is not involved. The award may cover an extended period of time during which a higher award may have been recommended or received for specific act(s). The criteria, however, should not be the period of service involved, but rather the circumstances and conditions under which the service was performed. The performance should be well above that usually expected of an individual commensurate with his or her grade or rate, and above that degree of excellence which can be appropriately reflected in the individual's fitness report, performance evaluations or personnel records.

c. Combat Distinguishing Device. The Combat Distinguishing Device may be authorized for valor (heroism).